Method of inhibiting cell growth with the P2U receptor

Abstract

Isolated DNAs encoding the human P 2U receptor are disclosed, along with vectors and host cells containing the same and methods of using the same. Host cells which are essentially free of endogenous P 2U receptor expression, and which express a heterologous P 2U receptor such as a murine P 2U receptor, are also disclosed, along with methods of using the same.

That which is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of inhibiting the growth, of a cell in culture comprising: transforming a mammalian cell in culture with a vector that expresses a P 2U  receptor in said cell in an amount sufficient to inhibit cell growth by autostimulation of said P 2U  receptor,   wherein said vector contains and expresses DNA encoding a human P 2U  receptor selected from the group consisting of; (a) isolated DNA having SEQ ID NO:1; and   (b) isolated DNA differing from the isolated DNA of (a) above in nucleotide sequence due to the degeneracy of the genetic code;     wherein said cell secretes ATP or UTP, and wherein cell growth is inhibited by stimulation of said P 2U  receptor with ATP or UTP.